Flowers are left at the Melbourne bridal shop where Jill Meagherwas last seen alive.Robert Mckechnie Source: Herald Sun

Australian Adrian Bayley has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Irishwoman Jill Meagher in a Victoria court.

The 41-year-old pipe layer had previously indicated he would plead not guilty to the murder of the Louth journalist.

His decision to plead guilty brought about an unscheduled hearing of the Supreme Court in Victoria.
The Irish Independent reports that Bayley replied ‘guilty’ in a soft voice as the single counts of rape and murder of the 29-year-old were put to him.

Justice Geoff Nettle remanded Bayley and he will appear before the court again on June 11 for a pre-sentence plea hearing.

Bayley attacked Meagher last September as she walked home from the pub in Brunswick.

Her body was discovered in a shallow grave 30 miles north west of Melbourne after a six day search.

Jill worked ABC radio in Melbourne and her death shocked Australia and her native town of Drogheda, Co Louth.

Flowers are left at the Melbourne bridal shop where Jill Meagherwas last seen alive.Robert Mckechnie Source: Herald Sun